Dream On #2

Maybe you've read a previous post about me wanting to be a conservationist. When I started my college career I was studying biology and science and on a course of study that would allow me to be a conservationist. But life has its turns and life took me in another direction. But I never gave up on the dream.

Aerosmith has a song I called to mind the other day entitled Dream On. One of the key lines in the song says "Dream until your dream comes true."

Well, after 49 years, one of my dreams is about to come true. I am enrolled in the Missouri Master Naturalist program sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation and the University of Missouri Extension department. This program is an adult community-based natural resource education and volunteer service program. The mission of the program is to engage Missourians in the stewardship of our state's natural resources through science-based education and volunteer community service.

I will receive a minimum of 40 hours classroom training coupled with 10 hours in the field. I will also devote an additional 10 hours of work to a community service project of my choosing. Classroom study includes ecology, prairie restoration, monitoring water quality in streams and rivers, native plant identification, and bird identification, etc. There are many other subjects covered in class too numerous to mention.

Once I've become a certified Master Naturalist I will have to do an additional 40 hours classroom and 10 hours field work each year to maintain certification.

I've had a couple of other dreams over the years.

One of them is to hike in the Grand Canyon. Sandy and I have a trip planned to go to the Grand Canyon for our 20th wedding anniversary this coming May and hike in the canyon. So if the good Lord is willing and the creek don't rise, I think that dream will come true.

I have another dream of going to Alaska before I die or am too old to enjoy it. No trip plans as yet.

Martin Luther King, Jr. said: "I have a dream." And it was a big dream. I have a big dream too.

My big dream is that my 4 sons would get together someplace, visit with each other, enjoy each other, and get to know each other better. And, o yow, that they would do it before I go on to the spirit world and that they would invite me to be there with them.

So don't give up on your dreams. It may take years and years for some of them to be fulfilled .... like maybe 49! Hope yours won't take that long.

One final thought as of this writing: "Dream until your dream comes true." (Aerosmith)